Lecce vs Roma: VAR check on Malen's goal confirms it was regular

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to extend their perfect start to the 2026-27 season, dismantling their opponents with such force and speed that the match was settled within 25 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to top the Serie A scorers' chart on five goals in two games, adding his first brace in giallorosso following his debut for Fiorentina. Paulo Dybala played a quieter but pivotal role, orchestrating from midfield; Rodrigo Mora sealed the rout with his first Serie A goal. The performance laid bare Roma's trademark efficiency under Gasperini: pressing from every angle, dominating the second ball with aggression and verticality, and conceding nothing at the back. What sets this Roma apart is the orchestration. The attack flows joy, bringing defenders into play from the back line while never losing shape. Gianluca Mancini delivered a flawless defensive display, while Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in at the final second of the warm-up after Evan N'Dicka's injury, proved alert and solid across the full 90 minutes. The second 4–0 scoreline in consecutive matches — paired with the second clean sheet running — underlines Roma's early-season dominance. Malen's finishing masterclass combined precise first touch, explosive body movement to create space, and immediate shot selection. Mora's goal meant little for the scoreline but symbolised the entire mood: a Roma team that attacks with freedom and celebrates with abandon. The numbers contextualise the ambition. Only once in the previous nine seasons had Roma scored more than four goals across their opening two fixtures — in 2021–22. Roma have now matched that record and surpassed it in spectacle.

Roma delivered an authoritative performance at Lecce, winning 4-0 on the opening day to send a powerful statement to their Serie A rivals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated from start to finish, with Donyell Malen scoring twice, Matías Soulé adding a third, and Rodrigo Mora notching his first goal in Italian football. The emphatic victory came despite Evan N'Dicka's last-minute absence and suggested Roma have shed doubts from a mixed pre-season. Malen broke the deadlock within three minutes, capitalizing on Lecce's defensive error with a low, precise finish past goalkeeper Falcone. The early goal transformed the match entirely. Roma assumed control of possession and raised their pressing intensity, suffocating Lecce's build-up play. The second goal arrived at the 23-minute mark when Malen finished a rapid vertical attack down the left, and one minute later Soulé made it 3-0, again with Malen involved in the build-up. By that stage, only one team was on the pitch. Lecce offered little resistance in the first half, though goalkeeper Mile Svilar was called upon to deny Geubbels a consolation goal at the 38th minute by staying tall and closing down the shooting space. In the second half, Roma maintained their intensity and control. Lecce struck the post from a corner kick but never truly threatened again. Gasperini introduced substitute Rodrigo Mora, who scored the fourth goal just minutes after coming on, realizing his first goal in Italian football. Castro also made an impactful entrance, while Marten De Roon earned a late debut, replacing Paulo Dybala as the pace dropped in the closing stages. The performance showcased the hallmarks Gasperini demands: high pressing, immediate ball recovery, vertical passing, and attacking aggression. With the league at its earliest stage, definitive judgments remain premature, but Roma have emerged from the Via del Mare with a clear demonstration of competitive strength.

Roma swept to a dominant 4-0 victory at Lecce, with Donyell Malen delivering a man-of-the-match display that included two goals and creative play throughout. The forward struck in the third minute to open the scoring, then added a second shortly after, and continued to drive Roma's attack with assists and tireless running. Paulo Dybala orchestrated play between the lines and set up further goals, though he squandered a clear chance in the second half. Gianluca Mancini, shifted to centre at the last moment, dominated his direct opponent and provided an assist for Rodrigo Mora's contribution to the scoreline. Gasperini's side displayed complete control from the outset. Bryan Cristante commanded the midfield with the authority of a captain, exploiting Lecce's turnover attempts and combining physical presence with tactical awareness. The coach made no changes to his selection despite Chelsea's reported interest in Manu Koné, whose performance drew praise for his positioning and defensive work in hot conditions. Emanuele Lulli continued his run of mature displays at the back, while Wesley combined creative work with Matías Soulé on the left and contributed to the sweeping attacking move that produced Roma's second goal. Daniele Ghilardi came into the side and brought personality to his performance, inserting himself into the left flank between Lulli and Dybala and adding an offensive dimension without conceding space behind. The rout illustrated Roma's fitness advantage and tactical superiority. Hermoso brought physical authority and experience to break up Lecce's attacking moves, finishing in growing form and making a crucial line clearance. Koné appeared suddenly behind Lecce's attacking midfielders and moved the ball effectively in dangerous areas. Dybala received standing ovations from the Via del Mare crowd, his half-yard of space consistently yielding chances for teammates, though the sole criticism came from his wasted opportunity in the second half. Malen's performance overshadowed any individual concern—he recovered the ball relentlessly, ran the channels without rest, and went close to adding two more goals. Rodrigo Mora's entry brought absolute positivity to the midfield, offering a sharp contrast to Niccolò Pisilli's substitute appearance, which lacked its usual spark.

Roma line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation for their second Serie A match of the season at Lecce on Monday, 31 August, with Matías Soulé replacing Rodrigo Mora in attack as the only change from their opening-day win over Fiorentina. The side shows Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Emanuele Lulli and Bryan Cristante in midfield with Manu Koné, Wesley providing width, Soulé in the No. 10 role and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as forwards. Gian Piero Gasperini keeps the bulk of the XI unchanged, with Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon among those on the bench. Lecce, managed by Di Francesco, set out in a 4-3-3 with Falcone in goal and deploy Ndaba, Gaspar, Siebert and Veiga across their back four.

Roma won 4–0 at Lecce on 31 August, claiming their second consecutive victory without conceding a goal and maintaining a flawless start to the 2026–27 season. Donyell Malen scored twice in the first half, Matías Soulé added a third before half-time, and Rodrigo Mora sealed the rout in the second half. The result extended Roma's tally to eight goals and zero conceded across their opening two league fixtures, following the 4–0 demolition of Fiorentina on their opening day. Gian Piero Gasperini's tactical setup proved insurmountable for Lecce manager Eusebio Di Francesco's side. Roma dominated possession and territory throughout, particularly in the first half when they could have scored more. The goalkeeper Mile Svilar was barely troubled, with the match playing out as little more than training for the visitors. Roma fielded Emanuele Lulli at right-back, Mancini as central defender, with Wesley on the left flank and Koné anchoring midfield; Dybala and Soulé operated as attacking midfielders behind Malen's lead striker role. Malen broke the deadlock in the third minute after Lecce's defence faltered in their box. The Dutch forward struck again in the 22nd minute when Wesley cut a low ball across the area for Malen to finish delicately beneath keeper Falcone. Soulé made it 3–0 in the 24th minute, converting after Falcone had saved his initial effort. Malen received a yellow card in the eighth minute for handling the ball on a Dybala cross. In the second half, Gasperini introduced substitutions with 22 minutes remaining: Molina and Mora replaced Wesley and Soulé. Mora showed his quality immediately, finishing from Mancini's open-play pass in the 64th minute to complete the scoring. Chiffi refereed the match at the Via del Mare stadium. Roma's squad maintains its perfect record heading into their next fixture.

Roma defeated Lecce 4–0 in the second round of Serie A on 31 August, extending their winning streak to six consecutive league matches. Donyell Malen scored three goals — at 4 minutes, 23 minutes and 65 minutes — while Matías Soulé added the fourth at 24 minutes. The match was played at a 27,031 attendance. Gasperini fielded an unchanged starting XI from Roma's opening 4–0 victory over Fiorentina. The defence lined up as Ghilardi, Mancini and Hermoso across the back, with Wesley on the left flank. Emanuele Lulli started at right-back, winning the pre-match competition with Nahuel Molina for the spot. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné anchored the side, with Matías Soulé operating as number 10 behind the striker pairing of Paulo Dybala and Malen. Rodrigo Mora was named in the forward line, rotating with Soulé. Evan N'Dicka suffered an adductor injury during the warm-up and was unavailable. Roma's six-game winning run now comprises the final five matches of the 2025–26 season plus the 2026–27 opening day against Fiorentina. The club has registered only one previous run of seven consecutive league wins in the past decade: a streak between February and March 2025 under former manager Claudio Ranieri. Lecce have lost 28 of their 40 Serie A fixtures against Roma — only Inter have inflicted more defeats on the Salento side in the top flight, with 32 losses. Roma have scored 85 goals against Lecce in Serie A; again, only Inter have conceded more to Roma in the league, with 94. Despite awaiting further transfer activity, Gasperini's focus remained solely on the Lecce fixture. Devyne Rensch and Lorenzo Pellegrini were rested and unavailable; Rensch will return to action from next week and face Atalanta, while Pellegrini is targeting a return by mid-month. Robinio Vaz was absent for transfer reasons, positioned at the edge of a move to Hull City. Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon made their first competitive calls.

Roma hammered Lecce 4–0 to extend their perfect start to the 2026-27 season, dismantling their opponents with such force and speed that the match was settled within 25 minutes. Donyell Malen scored twice to top the Serie A scorers' chart on five goals in two games, adding his first brace in giallorosso following his debut for Fiorentina. Paulo Dybala played a quieter but pivotal role, orchestrating from midfield; Rodrigo Mora sealed the rout with his first Serie A goal. The performance laid bare Roma's trademark efficiency under Gasperini: pressing from every angle, dominating the second ball with aggression and verticality, and conceding nothing at the back. What sets this Roma apart is the orchestration. The attack flows joy, bringing defenders into play from the back line while never losing shape. Gianluca Mancini delivered a flawless defensive display, while Daniele Ghilardi, drafted in at the final second of the warm-up after Evan N'Dicka's injury, proved alert and solid across the full 90 minutes. The second 4–0 scoreline in consecutive matches — paired with the second clean sheet running — underlines Roma's early-season dominance. Malen's finishing masterclass combined precise first touch, explosive body movement to create space, and immediate shot selection. Mora's goal meant little for the scoreline but symbolised the entire mood: a Roma team that attacks with freedom and celebrates with abandon. The numbers contextualise the ambition. Only once in the previous nine seasons had Roma scored more than four goals across their opening two fixtures — in 2021–22. Roma have now matched that record and surpassed it in spectacle.

Emanuele Lulli gave his thoughts ahead of Lecce versus Roma in Serie A's second round of fixtures on 31 August 2026. The 19-year-old defender spoke about his experience in the Roma squad and the influence of his teammates. On playing with Paulo Dybala, Lulli said: "I'm grateful to play with him." He reflected on his early days at the club: "I wasn't sure I believed it at first, I was living a dream. After the first training sessions I told myself this is just the beginning — I have so much to improve, but thanks to the squad helping me and the manager, I can keep developing." Asked about his personality at such a young age, Lulli said: "I'm achieving my dream. I thank my teammates and the manager for their trust. I'm living a dream but it's only the start." He identified Donyell Malen and Dybala as his primary sources of learning on the pitch. "From Malen and Dybala especially — they push me to aim high and show my qualities in the attacking phase. I steal something with my eyes every day."

Roma delivered an authoritative performance at Lecce, winning 4-0 on the opening day to send a powerful statement to their Serie A rivals. Gian Piero Gasperini's side dominated from start to finish, with Donyell Malen scoring twice, Matías Soulé adding a third, and Rodrigo Mora notching his first goal in Italian football. The emphatic victory came despite Evan N'Dicka's last-minute absence and suggested Roma have shed doubts from a mixed pre-season. Malen broke the deadlock within three minutes, capitalizing on Lecce's defensive error with a low, precise finish past goalkeeper Falcone. The early goal transformed the match entirely. Roma assumed control of possession and raised their pressing intensity, suffocating Lecce's build-up play. The second goal arrived at the 23-minute mark when Malen finished a rapid vertical attack down the left, and one minute later Soulé made it 3-0, again with Malen involved in the build-up. By that stage, only one team was on the pitch. Lecce offered little resistance in the first half, though goalkeeper Mile Svilar was called upon to deny Geubbels a consolation goal at the 38th minute by staying tall and closing down the shooting space. In the second half, Roma maintained their intensity and control. Lecce struck the post from a corner kick but never truly threatened again. Gasperini introduced substitute Rodrigo Mora, who scored the fourth goal just minutes after coming on, realizing his first goal in Italian football. Castro also made an impactful entrance, while Marten De Roon earned a late debut, replacing Paulo Dybala as the pace dropped in the closing stages. The performance showcased the hallmarks Gasperini demands: high pressing, immediate ball recovery, vertical passing, and attacking aggression. With the league at its earliest stage, definitive judgments remain premature, but Roma have emerged from the Via del Mare with a clear demonstration of competitive strength.

Roma swept to a dominant 4-0 victory at Lecce, with Donyell Malen delivering a man-of-the-match display that included two goals and creative play throughout. The forward struck in the third minute to open the scoring, then added a second shortly after, and continued to drive Roma's attack with assists and tireless running. Paulo Dybala orchestrated play between the lines and set up further goals, though he squandered a clear chance in the second half. Gianluca Mancini, shifted to centre at the last moment, dominated his direct opponent and provided an assist for Rodrigo Mora's contribution to the scoreline. Gasperini's side displayed complete control from the outset. Bryan Cristante commanded the midfield with the authority of a captain, exploiting Lecce's turnover attempts and combining physical presence with tactical awareness. The coach made no changes to his selection despite Chelsea's reported interest in Manu Koné, whose performance drew praise for his positioning and defensive work in hot conditions. Emanuele Lulli continued his run of mature displays at the back, while Wesley combined creative work with Matías Soulé on the left and contributed to the sweeping attacking move that produced Roma's second goal. Daniele Ghilardi came into the side and brought personality to his performance, inserting himself into the left flank between Lulli and Dybala and adding an offensive dimension without conceding space behind. The rout illustrated Roma's fitness advantage and tactical superiority. Hermoso brought physical authority and experience to break up Lecce's attacking moves, finishing in growing form and making a crucial line clearance. Koné appeared suddenly behind Lecce's attacking midfielders and moved the ball effectively in dangerous areas. Dybala received standing ovations from the Via del Mare crowd, his half-yard of space consistently yielding chances for teammates, though the sole criticism came from his wasted opportunity in the second half. Malen's performance overshadowed any individual concern—he recovered the ball relentlessly, ran the channels without rest, and went close to adding two more goals. Rodrigo Mora's entry brought absolute positivity to the midfield, offering a sharp contrast to Niccolò Pisilli's substitute appearance, which lacked its usual spark.

Roma line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation for their second Serie A match of the season at Lecce on Monday, 31 August, with Matías Soulé replacing Rodrigo Mora in attack as the only change from their opening-day win over Fiorentina. The side shows Mile Svilar in goal, Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso in defence, Emanuele Lulli and Bryan Cristante in midfield with Manu Koné, Wesley providing width, Soulé in the No. 10 role and Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen as forwards. Gian Piero Gasperini keeps the bulk of the XI unchanged, with Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi and Marten de Roon among those on the bench. Lecce, managed by Di Francesco, set out in a 4-3-3 with Falcone in goal and deploy Ndaba, Gaspar, Siebert and Veiga across their back four.

Gian Piero Gasperini has named his team for Roma's second Serie A match of the season at Lecce. The head coach persists with a 3-4-2-1 formation, deploying Donyell Malen as the central attacking reference supported by the Argentine pair of Paulo Dybala and Matías Soulé operating behind him. The XI maintains continuity in defence and midfield. Mile Svilar starts in goal behind a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso. Emanuele Lulli and Wesley occupy the wing-back positions, with Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante in the centre of the pitch. Gasperini's selection prioritises quality and technical ability in the final third, with Dybala and Soulé tasked with creating space and supply for Malen. Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Lulli, Koné, Cristante, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen. Manager: Gasperini.